Job Interviews

Want to sink your chances of landing a job? Here are the top reasons applicants made bad impressions during interviews, according to a survey of 2,400 employers by the CareerBuilder online job website: •Answered a cellphone or sent a text during the interview •Dressed inappropriately •Appeared uninterested •Appeared arrogant •Spoke negatively about a current or previous employer •Chewed gum •Didn't...

The top fear of people on job interviews is not showing up late or blanking out on important facts. The greatest worry plaguing job seekers, according to one survey, is appearing too nervous. About 17% of Americans fear that they look and act too jittery during interviews, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. That is followed by worries about appearing too qualified (15%) and not knowing how to answer a question (15%). Other interview nightmares include showing up late (14%)

Having neglected to keep up with the journal Psychology of Men & Masculinity, this recent study had escaped my attention: "When Men Break the Gender Rules: Status Incongruity and Backlash Against Modest Men." That is to say, for men, modesty in job interviews comes with risk. Researchers at Rutgers University found that, when watching staged job interviews, both male and female viewers were a bit turned off by modest men, considering them to be rather weak and uncertain -- "low status" traits to be sure.

Savvy job applicants know to prep for the common interview questions: What are your strengths? Your five-year plan? The name of our CEO? So interviewers are starting to throw curveballs, according to jobs website Glassdoor, which compiled 25 of the strangest queries reportedly lobbed at candidates this year. Being able to answer with more than just a confused look will help set successful applicants apart among the 20% of currently employed workers who plan to start job-hunting in the next three months, according to the site.

The Covina Woman's Club, in partnership with the Regional Occupational Program, has helped outfit 70 business students for job interviews. The program provides training for high school age and adult students on computer and office skills.

After three years as an executive assistant with a Washington-based marketing firm, she decided it was time to move ahead. She figured she'd paid her dues. Her boss raved about her abilities, even said she was management material. Now, at 24, she wanted to be an account executive, maybe move to another company and make more money. Despite the tight job market, contacts and a shining resume landed her an interview quickly. "Looks like you're qualified.

There is a small but significant hurdle that stands between many homeless people and the jobs that would help them get off the street. Don Paschal, who was formerly homeless, puts it this way: "Let's face it--who's going to hire someone who smells?" In Santa Monica, a possible solution arrived last week. It is called Shwashlock. The new facility at 505 W. Olympic Blvd. consists of several trailers on a downtown lot.

When offering references for former employees, companies are discovering that the less said, the better. Former employees who asked for a good word are increasingly suing bosses over bad references--and that makes companies reluctant to give them. In one recent case, an employee who was called a "sociopath" by his former supervisor sued for malicious slander and won nearly $2 million. "They are a thing of the past," said outplacement consultant James E.

Deborah Neroes held out her hand, waiting for a verdict. Sharon Obeck, a media training consultant, clasped it and shook hello. "Your hand is limp, telling me you're not interested," Obeck said. Neroes stepped back, took a deep breath and tried again. "Much better," Obeck said. "Now I know you're serious." For Neroes, a crack addict for 17 years, now sober for 128 days, this training session wasn't just about the first handshake in a job interview.

Want to sink your chances of landing a job? Here are the top reasons applicants made bad impressions during interviews, according to a survey of 2,400 employers by the CareerBuilder online job website: •Answered a cellphone or sent a text during the interview •Dressed inappropriately •Appeared uninterested •Appeared arrogant •Spoke negatively about a current or previous employer •Chewed gum •Didn't...

Brain teasers and off-the-wall questions have become part of the job interview process at many companies. In most cases there is no right answer: The interviewer just wants to see how the applicant thinks it through. The website Glassdoor compiled an "oddball interview questions of 2011" list from questions that job applicants said were asked at a variety of companies. Here's a selection: • Name five uses for a stapler, without the staples. • What is 37 times 37?

Danielle Bemoras showed up for her job interview with a social networking company prepared for some tough questions. Instead, she found herself in the middle of a psychology experiment. The company had invited a fellow job seeker to the dinner meeting in Chicago, looking to see how the rivals would handle the pressure of a joint interview. Awkward? No question. But Bemoras just rolled with it. She avoided alcohol to keep her head clear. She skipped the sushi to prevent chopsticks mishaps.

A Laguna Beach rug store owner accused of sexually assaulting a female customer in April 2010 and raping an employee a month later was arrested last week - nearly a year and a half after the incidents were reported and during which time he allegedly harassed a minor and attacked another woman. Saeid B. Maralan, 53, of Laguna Niguel, who is a registered sex offender, was taken into custody Thursday in connection with sex crimes involving four victims. Orange County prosecutors said Tuesday that he is charged with rape, attempted forcible rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object and distributing pornography to a minor.

In a bizarre game of musical chairs, nearly 1,000 Los Angeles teachers — who are guaranteed jobs somewhere in the school system — have been hunting for a school that wants them. And hundreds of them have to counter a stigma that they are undesirable castoffs, because they previously worked at low-performing schools that are being restructured. These teachers are from eight schools that are undergoing shakeups intended to bring in new talent, shed previous instructors and administrators and fundamentally change the academic culture.

Having neglected to keep up with the journal Psychology of Men & Masculinity, this recent study had escaped my attention: "When Men Break the Gender Rules: Status Incongruity and Backlash Against Modest Men." That is to say, for men, modesty in job interviews comes with risk. Researchers at Rutgers University found that, when watching staged job interviews, both male and female viewers were a bit turned off by modest men, considering them to be rather weak and uncertain -- "low status" traits to be sure.

Deborah Johnson wants to be a nurse. To many, that might not sound special. But to Johnson, her two children and the people at the Women's Care Cottage in North Hollywood, her decision is music to their ears. Just a few months ago, Johnson was a homeless woman who was searching for her next meal instead of a job or a way to get her 6-year-old twins back from child welfare services. Because of the programs offered at the cottage, Johnson has her own apartment and, more importantly, direction.

The top fear of people on job interviews is not showing up late or blanking out on important facts. The greatest worry plaguing job seekers, according to one survey, is appearing too nervous. About 17% of Americans fear that they look and act too jittery during interviews, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. That is followed by worries about appearing too qualified (15%) and not knowing how to answer a question (15%). Other interview nightmares include showing up late (14%)

The rules of basic grooming may seem obvious, but when it comes to getting prepped and polished for a big job interview, don't skip the small stuff, and do be prepared for wrinkles, ragged cuticles and everything else. Whether it's the first handshake or handing over your resume, make sure your hands and nails are well-manicured or, at the very least, trimmed and clean.

Flip through any how-to book on job interviewing and you're bound to run into the same timeworn tenets on how to dress when facing the hiring squad. "A conservative two-piece business suit" is appropriate for men and women, according to "The College Grad Hunter" (2008) by Brian D. Krueger, with women clad in pantyhose "at or near skin color."